Which mascot replaced the chef character Speedee as McDonald's main mascot in 1963?

Ronald McDonald replaced Speedee as McDonald’s main mascot in 1963.

Speedee represented McDonald’s early identity as a fast-service restaurant. By the 1960s, the company wanted a character with broader family and children’s appeal, so Ronald McDonald became the central figure in its television advertising and public image.

Ronald’s first television portrayal was performed by Willard Scott in a Washington, D.C.-area commercial. The character’s appearance evolved over time, but the red-haired clown, yellow clothing, and red-and-white color scheme became closely tied to McDonald’s branding.

Other McDonaldland characters were added later, including Grimace, the Hamburglar, and Mayor McCheese. They expanded the fictional world around Ronald, but none replaced him as the company’s principal mascot during the classic advertising era.